Rangers fans were buzzing after Lawrence Shankland and Findlay Curtis combined to score three of Scotland’s four goals against Curacao at Hampden.
The match served as Scotland’s World Cup send-off, with the Ibrox duo’s performances immediately generating fierce debate among supporters of both clubs.
Predictably, the excitement among Rangers fans drew sharp responses from the Celtic side of the divide, with callers quickly moving to dismiss the significance of the display.
Kevin Wark said: “Here we go with the annual summer call of Celtic should be worried. A couple of players have a good game against a country with the same population as Dundee and it’s all systems go. The reaction always cheers me up as it tells me it’s not long until my summer hols.”
Robert McEwan from Mount Vernon added: “My goodness league’s just finished and people are spouting garbage how good Rangers players are. Get a grip, it’s Hearts who will be our biggest challenge probably for six in a row.”
Kenny Wilson from Moffat was equally dismissive of the Rangers hype building around the forthcoming season and their prospects of ending Celtic dominance.
Wilson said: “As usual, the Rangers fans have us all shaking with fear about next season with all their promises to win the league. If only talking about it won you trophies. I’m not sure any Celtic fans are panicking about them, but they need to get a manager appointed and start to rebuild the squad.”
The Women’s Scottish Cup Final added further fuel to the fire, with Celtic defeating Rangers 1-0 at Hampden on Sunday to extend the bitter rivalry into another competition.
Joshua Worrall from Widnes offered praise for the Celtic Women’s effort, saying: “Unbelievable effort from Celtic Women to hold onto their 1-0 lead over Rangers with only 10 players for the vast part of the second half in the Women’s Scottish cup final. A neatly taken goal from Morgan Cross and a dogged and determined defensive display epitomised by goalkeeper Adelaide Gay. Well done Grant Scott and his team.”
Rangers supporters were furious at officiating decisions during the final, with Willie Mercer from Dumfries saying: “Well it’s good to see that the Celtic-favouring incompetence of VAR is not restricted to the men’s game with Rangers Women denied a stonewall penalty by VAR in the last minute of the Cup Final. It didn’t happen to be Joan Beaton in the VAR room by any chance?”
Scott Gowers from Edinburgh also criticised the officiating, pointing to a series of decisions he believed went against Rangers throughout the match.
Gowers added: “Even woman’s football doesn’t go without controversy as Celtic are awarded a free kick in their own box for a very high foot, yet the foot was the boot of the Celtic defender before the keeper punches Laura Berry in the face, clear and obvious mistake then another clear penalty ignored at the start of injury time.”
The VAR controversy extended beyond the Women’s Cup Final, with Chris Lowe from Yoker criticising Willie Collum’s involvement in earlier matches involving Celtic.
Lowe said: “From high pitched screaming from Sean Carr on Var which was akin to a gathering of fans in a living room to Collum making it up as he goes along trying to justify the plethora of dodgy game changing decisions gifted to Celtic. And that’s before we mention the phantom whistle.”
Denis Bruce from Bishopbriggs speculated on whether Derek McInnes could return to challenge for the title with Rangers, describing the prospect as a fitting conclusion to an outstanding career.
Meanwhile, John Forster from Sydney called for serious consequences following scenes at Celtic’s title celebrations, demanding the SPFL act decisively.
Forster emailed to say: “SPFL will surely deduct Celtic at least six points for next season. Celtic fans poured onto the trackside and pitch. It’s usually kids and elderly down at the front row areas. Somebody will get badly hurt. The only way to stop any fans invading in the future is to punish their team severely, or this will become the norm next season.”
About the Author
